IPL 2022 Mega Auction: 3 IPL Teams Who Might Not Retain their Captains

Indian Premier League (IPL) is regarded as the No.1 T20 league in all aspects. The brand value of the IPL has grown by leaps and bounds over the years. The unprecedented growth of the cash-rich league has been possible only due to top-level cricketers who are willing to be a part of it. With much at stake in every contest, each player including the skipper needs to be on their toes before taking the field against their opponents.

As a result, International, as well as domestic players remain under immense pressure to perform on a regular basis. Not to everyone's surprise, a number of IPL captains have been asked to step down for failing to perform their duties and produce the desired results.

Interestingly, the IPL mega auction is scheduled to happen in 2022. The fate of a lot of players will rest on the auction dynamics whether or not they continue to play for the same franchise. Eventually, regular captains of the respective franchises can be shown the exit door due to various obvious reasons. Therefore, teams might not consider retaining their IPL captain ahead of the 2022 mega auction.

Here's is a list of 3 teams who might not retain their captains in IPL 2022:

1. Kolkata Knight Riders
Eoin Morgan KKR
Eoin Morgan might not continue as KKR skipper in IPL 2022 (Image Source: BCCI/IPL)

After a series of setbacks in the last two IPL seasons, Kolkata knight Riders (KKR) might ponder over a change of captaincy for the upcoming season. A dip in his own performance that impacted his captaincy prowess, saw Dinesh Karthik pass the captaincy baton to Eoin Morgan in IPL 2020. However, while KKR expected a change in fortunes in the second half of IPL 2020, the change in leader didn't help either as the franchise failed to make it to the IPL playoffs.

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Morgan continued to lead the side in IPL 2021 but failed miserably to bring any glory to the team. The Kolkata-based franchise was languishing at the bottom half of the IPL points table with two wins in seven matches. Morgan's poor run of form didn't help the struggling middle-order either in 2021. In all likelihood, the franchise might be seen on a hunt for another IPL captain in the 2022 auction after releasing the England World Cup-winning skipper.

 

2. Rajasthan Royals
Sanju Samson scored maiden IPL century in 2021
Sanju Samson scored maiden IPL century in 2021 (Image Source: Arjun Singh/ Sportzpics for IPL)

After Rajasthan Royals (RR) have failed to remain relevant in the race for the IPL playoffs in the past few years, the team management needs to make some tough calls for the team's future. After Steve Smith repeated failure as captain, he was shown the exit door after being released ahead of the 2021 IPL auction. RR handed the responsibility to young Sanju Samson, expecting to make their first IPL playoffs since IPL 2018.

Despite Sanju's phenomenal outing in the 2021 season opener, his batting exploits took a downward spiral until the league was postponed midway through the season. As a result, the ‘Men in Pink' might have a new captain in next season with Samson being asked to discontinue as the leader of the team. However, it will be tough for Rajasthan Royals as they might need to work round the clock in order to find an inspiring captain who can initiate a string of good performances in IPL 2022.

 

3. Sunrisers Hyderabad
David Warner IPL
David Warner has scored most IPL runs for an overseas player

The Orange army lifted the IPL trophy in 2016 under the vibrant leadership of David Warner. However, since then, SRH's performance hasn't been assertive enough to secure an IPL win. The franchise came close to winning their second IPL title in 2018 but was met by a Shane Watson storm in the final. A lot of internal issues within the SRH management around captaincy have also proved to be a major obstacle in Sunrisers' success as a franchise.

It may be apt in 2022 if the Hyderabad-based franchise can consider a change in captaincy for the next few seasons. In any case, David Warner, who was the regular skipper for SRH in 2021 until he was relinquished of the job, might not be retained by the franchise in 2022. The franchise can consider handing over the captaincy hat to a new face in an attempt to bring a change in their IPL fortunes.